Hardegree Honored With LGBT+ Awareness Award

Posted April 27, 2017

Austin Hardegree, a fourth-year veterinary student in the Texas
A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
(CVM), has been recognized for his contributions in supporting and
ensuring inclusivity in academia with one of the Broad Spectrum
Veterinary Student Association’s (BSVSA) 2017 LGBT+ Veterinary
Awareness Awards.

Hardegree is among the six vet med students, faculty members, or
industry partners from across the country selected for the second
annual awards, which were presented in April to those who
demonstrate commitment to Broad Spectrum's mission by developing
awareness of the LGBTQ+ community and its importance within the
realm of veterinary education and practice.

Hardegree—who helped establish the CVM’s Broad Spectrum chapter
by serving first as secretary and later as president for the
national organization—was recognized by the BSVSA for “his amazing
leadership as president of Broad Spectrum” and “his tireless work
on TAMU Broad Spectrum and VOICE campus activities.”

“He stood up, led, and helped create an inclusive environment at
TAMU which has rippled across North American colleges of veterinary
medicine,” the national organization said in a press
release. “Leadership does start in veterinary school too.”

"We are really proud of the work that Austin and our entire
Broad Spectrum organization are accomplishing,” said Dr.
Kenita Rogers, CVM executive associate dean. "There is nothing more
important that creating a learning and working environment that is
welcoming to everyone, regardless of how you identify, where you
are from, what your goals are, and what makes you truly unique and
valuable. We want everyone—students, staff, faculty, and
guests—to feel like they are a part of this remarkable college
team. Each and every person makes us better."

The award also recognized Hardegree for his leadership during
the 2017 Student American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA)
Symposium, for which he served as the chair of diversity and
wellness and organized several programs.

“It feels great to have been selected for this award,” Hardegree
said. “It means that I’m doing something right, at least when it
comes to diversity within veterinary medicine. As I move forward in
my professional life, I can continue to lead by example and
advocate for diversity in our field.”

Founded in 2011 at the SAVMA Symposium at the University of
California, Davis, the national Broad Spectrum organization stemmed
from the Lesbian and Gay Veterinary Medical Association (LGVMA), a
similar club that focuses more on professional veterinary
medicine.

“Veterinarians are seen as leaders,” Hardegree said. “I think
that we, in all aspects of our lives, should strive to be the best
we can be. Creating a positive environment is really what
matters.”

Neither group could be successful without the support of CVM
faculty and staff, and especially Drs. Karen Cornell and Rogers,
two national advisers for the LGVMA and faculty advisers for the
National Broad Spectrum.

“The CVM administration has done a good job of making sure that
all students, no matter their background, feel welcome,” Hardegree
said.